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Qualities of Good Writing (Journalism)

1.
Qualities of Good Writing

2.
Short Paragraphs
• In English class, you may have been
encouraged to write long paragraphs for your
essays.
• In news writing, though, your paragraphs are
kept short.
– Short paragraphs are easier to read on a small
mobile device.
– They also look better when typeset into a long,
skinny column in a newspaper.

3.
Traits of Good Writing
• Take charge and develop your own ideas
• Develop strong leads
• Examine the story from all angles
• Revise and rewrite
• Do an “AP style” check

9.
Commas
• Use commas to separate items in a series, except just before
“and” (example: Red, white and blue)
• Use comma with semicolons when dividing complicated
materials, such as names and titles
– Example:
– “Alexis Lew, president; Stephen Ro, vice president; Cathy Smith,
treasurer, and Natalie Hack, secretary.”
– Note that you switched from the semicolon to a comma before the
“and”

10.
Beware! Exclamation Point!
• Use exclamation points sparingly
• Usually a period or question mark will be
sufficient

12.
Quotes
• When quoting a source, make sure that the
quotation marks are placed outside the other
punctuation.
– Example:
• “I enjoy teaching,” she said. “I created this guide to
help you.”

13.
Writing Tight Sentences
• Do not repeat key words in the same sentence
• Example:
– “The University of Hawaii students have been
attending University events…”

14.
Numbers & Things
• Spell out single-digit numbers (nine and
below)
• Use figures for numbers 10 and above unless:
– the sentence begins with a number
– you are expressing money, age, dates, etc.

15.
Writing Tips
• When writing about the current date, do not
use the year. It’s obvious.
• When dealing with money, omit the decimal
point when the amount is even
– $25 not $25.00
• In writing amounts with many zeros, use the
word “million,” “billion,” etc.

16.
Said vs. Says
• Use “said,” NOT “says” in interviews and
quotes
• Use “says” when referring to a printed
document or sign